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How often has a scientist or engineer said, "If I could only make this particular material or combine these materials into a certain structure, I bet it would have these wonderful properties that could be used to make this cool device"? Our generation is the first in human history to enjoy more than accidental success in this regard, but in general it's a very difficult task that is in many cases still characterized by much empirical laboratory trial-and-error.

Many modern materials synthesis and processing techniques take advantage of processes that occur far from thermodynamic equilibrium to force atoms or molecules into positions that are not naturally favored and to prevent the structure from relaxing to its most favored configuration. Professor Aziz's research focuses on the relationships between materials processing, structure, and properties in a variety of materials. In many instances a central role is played by kinetics: the study of mechanisms and rates of atomic transport and rearrangement.